Concept Guide

Configuring Spectrum Monitors and Hybrid W-IAPs
AW-IAP can be provisioned to function as a spectrum monitor or as a hybrid W-IAP. The radios on groups of
APs can be converted to dedicated spectrum monitors or hybrid APs via the AP group’s 802.11a and 802.11g
radio profiles.
Converting a W-IAP to a Hybrid W-IAP
You can convert all W-IAPs in an Instant network into hybrid W-IAPs by selecting the Background spectrum
monitoring option in the 802.11a and 802.11g radio profiles of a W-IAP. APs in Access mode continue to
provide normal access service to clients, while providing the additional function of monitoring RF interference.
If any W-IAP in the Instant network does not support the spectrum monitoring feature, that AP continues to
function as a standard W-IAP, rather than a hybrid W-IAP. By default, the background spectrum monitoring
option is disabled.
In the hybrid mode, spectrum monitoring is performed only on the home channel. In other words, if the ap-
channel width is 80Mhz, spectrum monitoring is performed for 80mhz. If the channel width is 40, spectrum
monitoring is performed for 40Mhz channel. In a dedicated air monitor mode, APs perform spectrum
monitoring on all channels.
You can convert W-IAPs in an Instant network to hybrid mode using the Instant UI or CLI.
In the Instant UI
To convert aW-IAP to a hybrid W-IAP:
1. Click the RF link at the top right corner of the Instant UI.
2. Click Show advanced options to view the Radio tab.
3. To enable a spectrum monitor on the 802.11g radio band, in the 2.4 GHz radio profile, select Enabled from
the Background Spectrum Monitoring drop-down list.
4. To enable a spectrum monitor on the 802.11a radio band, in the 5 GHz radio profile, select Enabled from
the Background Spectrum Monitoring drop-down list.
5. Click OK.
In the CLI
To configure 2.4 GHz radio settings:
(Instant AP)(config)# rf dot11g-radio-profile
(Instant AP)(RF dot11 g Radio Profile)# spectrum-monitor
To configure 5 GHz radio settings:
(Instant AP)(config)# rf dot11a-radio-profile
(Instant AP)(RF dot11a Radio Profile)# spectrum-monitor
Converting aW-IAP to a Spectrum Monitor
In spectrum mode, spectrum monitoring is performed on entire bands and the AP functions as a dedicated full-
spectrum RF monitor, scanning all channels to detect interference, whether from the neighboring APs or from
non-WiFi devices such as microwaves and cordless phones.
By default, spectrum monitoring is performed on a higher band of the 5 GHz radio.
You can configure aW-IAP to function as a standalone spectrum monitor using the Instant UI or CLI.
In the Instant UI
To convert aW-IAP to a spectrum monitor:
Dell Networking W-Series Instant 6.4.3.1-4.2.0.0 | User Guide Spectrum Monitor | 338